Archive for the ‘Reformed Theology’ Category
2008 Church Visitor Westside Hungarian Reformed Church Cleveland OH
The 2008 Church Visitor Westside Hungarian Reformed Church Cleveland OH is now online.
Kedves Barátaim,
Csatolva küldöm legutóbbi Egyházi Látogatónk elektronikus változatát. Kellemes ?szutót mindnyájatoknak!
Üdvözlettel
Zoltán S. Kelemen
1463 Waterbury Road
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
Cellular: 216. 403-1031
Call For Entries – Calvin Essays Contest
CALVIN-YEAR LITERARY COMPETITION! The year 2009 has been declared Calvin-Year. To commemorate John Calvin’s 500th Anniversary, and in the tradition of previous such events in history, the Calvin Synod Conference of the United Church of Christ announces a Call for Entries for essays or poems from lay- people as well as sermons or academic studies from Pastors on the following topics: “What Does it Mean to Me to Be a Calvinist?” or “The Importance of Calvin in My Life” (titles are flexible – this is the general idea).
RULES & PRIZES: Members of any local church of the Calvin Synod may submit entries. Categories and prizes: Pastors and adult lay-persons (either English or Hungarian) – 1st Prize $500, 2nd Prize $300, 3rd Prize $200. Youth category for age under 16 (either English or Hungarian) – 1st Prize $100, 2nd Prize $75. Young adult category age between 16+ and under 18 (either English or Hungarian) – 1st Prize $100, 2nd Prize $75. Please note: Age cutoff is at or before the entry deadline of January 31, 2009. Entries must be typed, preferably in digital format, 10 pt font, double-spaced; not less than one page, and not more than four pages.
SUBMIT: entries by MAIL to – Office of the Bishop, c/o Rt. Rev. Koloman K. Ludwig, Bishop 7319 Tapper Ave., Hammond, IN 46324. OR submit entries via E-MAIL – kkludwig@aol.com
DEADLINE: Mailed entries must be postmarked by January 31, 2009. E-mailed entries (preferred method) also must be sent by end of day January 31, 2009. The Judges’ decisions will be final. Winners and placements to be announced during Calvin Synod’s Annual Meeting in May 2009.
Are you wondering…about John Calvin and what it means to be a Calvinist nowadays? Are you wondering why John Calvin is (or should be) important in your life in the 21st Century? Then ask your Pastor – he or she is ready and waiting to help you answer these very important and pertinent study questions. Don’t miss this very important opportunity to learn more about and to also share your Reformed Faith – begin work on your submittal to the Literary Competition today!
Submitted by Lehel Deak, Synod Presbyter
Heirs with Christ – Rev. Joel Beeke
Dr. Joel Beeke is the author of Heirs with Christ: The Puritans on Adoption
In these videos he discusses the doctrine and the book
Heirs with Christ Part 1
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot2nPifyCe0[/youtube]
Heirs with Christ Part 2
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNdrpY0yU_c[/youtube]
Young, Restless, and Reformed
Young, Restless, Reformed Calvinism is making a comeback—and shaking up the church.
This interesting article shows that there is a profound move among young people who are embracing the Reformed faith when it is presented as a life giving message of God’s grace. The emptiness of evangelicalism is causing young Christians to seek substance and a Biblical message of God’s greatness that goes beyond simplistic, self-serving and legalistic messages.
Many people coming to Reformed Churches are amazed to hear expository sermons that are actually about the Bible verse read instead of about man-centered “testimonies”. They are thankful for the historic liturgy focus on God instead of entertainment.
One shortcoming of the article is that it speaks as if Baptists were the only Reformed people!
Perhaps that’s simply because the Baptists realize the treasure we have been so busy keeping to ourselves!
One peculiar strength of our Heidelberg Catechism is its profound exposition of the salvation by Grace and the Christian’s ability to rely completely on the sovereignty of God in keeping His people through His Fatherly care. This affirmation of God’s sovereignty, though, expresses such confidence in the Almighty God of history revealed in Holy Scripture with evangelical fervor and a unique warmth of devotion. The catechism epitomizes what these young people seek – truth aflame. The same type of practical exposition of Truth is found in the Second Helvetic Confession where, we are reminded, Jesus Christ is Himself the looking glass wherein we can gaze upon the truths of election and predestination without falling into the dark pit of despairing fatalism and self-centered moral lawlessness.
From this author’s personal experience many Baptist converts to “Calvinism” unfortunately fall into the twin traps described above because they have no confessional basis to guide them as they contemplate the Scripture. They too readily embrace extreme notions never entertained (or rejected) by our Fathers in the Reformed faith and become sidetracked from a living, Christ centered faith.
Also, the Reformation doctrine of Worship is often missed in these settings. For the Reformers, “Worship” is first and foremost God’s ministering to us through Word and Sacrament and then, secondarily our presentation of ourselves as living sacrifices in light of Christ’s sacrifice (see Answer 32, Heidelberg Catechism). One large Baptist church that considers itself “Calvinistic” advertises itself as “charismatic in worship”. While that might attract many in our day, too often this falls short of the concept of worship described above. In some such churches the Lord’s Supper is never even observed with regularity and the sacrament’s purpose is never discovered!
So for this renewed interest in Reformed theology we are grateful to God and mindful of our failure to represent our Reformed Christian faith for what it is – truth aflame. And we are likewise made cognizant again of our duty to share the treasure of the Reformed Christian faith God has entrusted to us just in time to serve a hungry generation.
Related Link: Young, Restless, Reformed: A Journalist’s Journey with the New Calvinists
Liturgy Page Added
A page devoted to the Hungarian Reformed Liturgy has been added. The Hungarian Reformed communion service is especially noteworthy and will, Lord willing, be added at a later date.
Calvin 500 Quincentenary Event July 2009
The 500th Anniversary of John Calvin’s Birth takes place in July 2009.
This is the first of many special event announcements related to this anniversary which is so important to the Reformed Churches worldwide and the Hungarian Reformed Church.
For more information visit here and here.
To quote the first site:
Esteemed leaders, scholars, and ministers will serve as your guides to learning about this influential man, his vibrant city, and the cultural, religious, political, and economic impact flowing from a movement.
Speakers include: Joel Beeke, Henri Blocher, Sinclair Ferguson, and many other noted reformed scholars.